Advice for new college students from not-so-new college students

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Jess RosenWashington University in St. LouisLynbrook High School

You have time, but not that much time.

My biggest adjustment to college life was learning how to manage my time. I’ll be a senior, and I’m still learning how. Class is inevitable, homework and exams are expected, and then there are the extracurricular activities. If you’re an athlete, practices and games pile on top of that. The to-do list lengthens, and sometimes it feels like your head is going to fall off from spinning so fast. It helps to have a schedule, to plan it all out and face your responsibilities.

You’ll eventually learn to hate the blank spaces on your calendar. You’ll want to fill them up with things you want to do. College is a fresh, independent experience. Make sure you leave time to discover yourself.

Megan Gaskin

Molloy College Holy Trinity High School

In every class you take, get at least one classmate’s phone number. It’s a good way to make a new friend, and useful if you ever miss a class or aren’t sure of a due date.

I’ve met so many people at Molloy that I now have over 400 contacts in my phone. The first thing I did as a freshman was join clubs that interested me — Student Media, Performing Arts, Ultimate Frisbee. They gave me a chance to try something new. Join at least one club in your freshman year.

As a commuter, I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to meet people, but I formed new friendships in the clubs. At first I was very shy and quiet, but I realized that in order for me to meet people, I’d need to get out of my comfort zone. I’ll be a senior in the fall, and can say that I am now extremely outgoing and friendly.

College is all about finding yourself, and your next four years will be memorable. They go by quickly, so make them count.

Sid Tanenbaum, who lived in Woodmere and owned a metal-stamping shop in Far Rockaway, where he was known more for his charitable ways than his two-handed set shot, has been honored for the past 30 years with a basketball tournament that raises scholarship money for students in the Five Towns.